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Monday, July 5, 2010

Fireworks

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"Spiritual Freedom"

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36).

Yesterday was "Independence Day", a holiday here in the USA and many are off work today as well. It should historically be a time we express thanks for our political freedoms, although many take these freedoms for granted and may not notice they are systematically being diminished. We are aware that these messages are read all over the world by our fellow brothers and sisters who live under varying degrees of political freedom.  Most live in countries with relative freedom. Others live in places with religious oppression and in some cases outright persecution. However we really doubt if this material reaches those living in slavery, although millions live under such conditions.

Today we want to share about a freedom that is available to all that is infinitely greater than any political or religious freedoms we may or may not enjoy for the present. One hundred or one thousand years into eternity I suspect that where we lived during our brief earthly sojourn will be of little regard, with the one exception of our decision to surrender our lives to Jesus Christ.

In John 8 Jesus confronted the Pharisees and religious leaders of His day who had challenged His authority. The encounter specifically began when Jesus asserted, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12).  The Pharisees challenged Jesus and the validity of His testimony and of course that has been at the heart of resistance to God's redemption plan ever since.

Jesus taught that those who "hold" to His teaching are truly His disciples (v. 31).  He said to them "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32).  This especially insulted the proud Pharisees who responded, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?" (v. 34).

But Jesus was speaking of a slavery that impacts the entire human race; rich or poor, powerful or weak, educated or unschooled, politically free or oppressed.  People from every background are slaves to sin!  Yet this is the very slavery that Jesus came to free us from; "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36).

If you are a citizen of a free country don't take it for granted. Give thanks to God for this wonderful privilege and consider those who sacrificed for your freedoms. Let us also pray for our brethren who do not have these freedoms. Above all give thanks to God that Jesus paid the supreme sacrifice so that we might be freed from the slavery of sin. That's something that we can all rejoice in no matter the political persuasion of our country. 

Today, are you free indeed?


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily Prayer: Father, how glorious it is to enjoy freedom from sin, thanks to the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus, on my behalf.  My life, once enslaved to sin, now enjoys the freedom from that which once held me captive to Satan's bondage.  I live in victory because You have set me free and I am now free indeed.  Thank You, Father, for delivering me from the domain of darkness and transferring me into the kingdom of Your Son in whom I have redemption, the forgiveness of sin!

We lift up our brothers and sisters in prayer who live in oppressive and persecuted lands whose voices and expressions of faith are stifled by ungodly laws and rulers.  Help them to hold to the faith no matter the circumstances.  Encourage those who have family members or parishioners who are imprisoned for their Christian testimony. Replace any fear with courage and any doubts with the certainty of Your presence and the working power of Your Holy Spirit "to do more than we can ever ask or imagine" in Jesus' name.  Amen.


The freedom Jesus Christ provides:
    1) Freedom from the bondage of sin (Romans 6:18).
    2) Freedom from guilt and shame (Colossians 1:21-23).
    3) Freedom from the fear of death (Hebrews 2:15).





We did not post a message Friday morning. Thursday evening we attended a viewing near Reading, PA for the friend who died in the accident we mentioned in a message last week. Friday morning we went up to the Lehigh Valley to visit my brother Pat and his family.


Wagon with homemade shoofly pies
On the way up to the Lehigh Valley Friday morning we stopped at a farm stand east of Reading for some fresh corn requested by my brother.  They were taking the corn right off the wagon and also some homemade shoofly pies made fresh that morning!  We stopped at about 8:30 AM so there were some early risers to have baked those pies already by that time!

Brand new Mack truck
Sitting in a brand new Mack truck!

Mack truck assembly plantOn Friday morning my brother and I toured the Mack truck assembly plant near Allentown, PA. They are now making 60 trucks per day but can make as many as 130 per day. For any who enjoy factory tours this is an interesting tour.









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"Jesus I Come"  Video

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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